How Is Your Relationship With God?

Single men are jailed more often, earn less, have more illnesses and die at a younger age than married men. Married men with cancer live 20% longer than single men with the same cancer.

Women, who often have more close friendships than men, survive longer with the same cancers. Married or not, relationships keep us alive.
-Dr. Bernie Siegel, Homemade, May, 1989

The importance of relationships is no big secret. As it says in the illustration above, relationships keep us alive! How are your relationships doing? Even more importantly, how is your relationship with God? Do you know that God pursues a love relationship with each one of us? He knows us and he wants us to know him. There is nothing more important than being able to submit to God, agree that our lives need to change, and to turn our lives over to him.

May I ask you this question, "How is your relationship with God?" Do you even have one? (cf. Matthew 12:30; 11:28-30). We hear a great deal about having a “personal relationship” with God, and of Christians who confess they do not (or wonder whether they do).

The term "personal relationship" is redundant here. Seriously, is there any other type? After all, YOU are involved! We recoil from this denominational terminology because:

1) In practice it usually means “What Christ ‘means to me’ instead of the true relationship we can, should, and must have with God in Christ and;
2) It usually accompanies an emotion-based religion, not truth-based (self-based not God-based). Examine John 14:7-11. This exchange emphasizes the relationship disciples of Christ have with Him. Specifically, “Do you not know me?” (14:9).

To be a Christian is to have a relationship with God through Christ (John 14:6; Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:26-27 (4:8-9). It is personal, because it is your salvation! When you are saved by the gospel, you know God, (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:21). Christ died for you and saves you when you trust and obey. I refer you to Matthew 11:28-29 and Mark 16:16.

Additionally, to have a relationship, certain things must be present. As in any true relationship, a relationship requires contact. Here, this means that you must have contact with God (John 14:7-9).

The Lord knows each of us (cf. Nathaniel, John 1:47-48). The question is, do we (you) know God? 1 John 2:12-14 (What kind of contact do you have with God?) After our initial contact (i.e., conversion to Christ) we are okay for a while. But, what then? Have you maintained that same level of "personal relationship" since then?

Think about it this way. What if you had developed a relationship with someone, but then decided not to have any contact with that person for 6 months. What kind of a relationship will you have with them after 6 months? Would you be able to be certain about that relationship? Remember David in the Bible? He knew God was with him (Psalm 23:4). Do you (Hebrews 13:5-6)?

You know that any relationship, if it is to become strong, requires spending time together. Thus, you must Spend Time with God. How can we do this? First, we must spend time in communication with God (Moses, Numbers 12:7). God wants us to spend time with the Bible! (John 14:10; Hebrews 1:1-2; Psalm 1:2; 119:14-16). We can spend time with God in prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17); spend quiet time with God (Mark 1:35); and pray about everything (Philippians 4:6-7)!

Second, we should spend time worshiping, rejoicing, adoring, praising, thanking (Philippians 4:4; Hebrews 13:17). I ask you, how can we expect to know God when we will not bow before God (Psalm 122:1)?

Third, we should spend time serving others. When you help someone you get to know them. By serving others we serve Christ and know Him (Matthew 25:40)!

A relationship also requires trust if it is to thrive and survive. You must trust God (John 14:11). Isn't it true that we trust who we know? Do you trust what God commands you? What God promises you? (James 2:21-23; Luke 6:46; John 2:3-5; John 14:20-23). Go ahead, feel confident to cast all your cares upon God (1 Peter 5:5-7). Trust takes humility toward the one we trust (1 Peter 5:6).

Trust takes opening yourself up to God (1 Peter 5:7). Expose your heart to God (He already completely knows you!).

And last, but not least, a relationship requires nuturing. This means that you must take care of your relationship with God! You've probably heard someone say (or maybe even yourself), “God seems so far away.” In truth, God is as close or as far away as you choose to have Him in your life (Revelation 3:20). God is close to us when we choose to learn, trust and obey His word (John 14:23); and choose to live for His pleasure and blessings (cf. Ephesians 5:8-10).

Let's try to put all of this into perspective. We will call it: THE RESULT OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD IN CHRIST. In the end, you will become more and more like Jesus (He will influence you the most) Ephesians 4:20-24; Philippians 3:7-11:

1. In your love for God and others (Matthew 22:37-39).
2. In your trust and reliance upon God (Matthew 6:33).
3. In your obedience to God in all things (Hebrews 5:8-9).

The call of the gospel is to know God, and more importantly, to be known by God (Galatians 4:8-9). Those who know Christ and are known by Him, “do the will of the Father,” Matthew 7:21-23. With all of this powerful information in your hand, do not turn back to the sinful error and immorality. Take care of, and build your relationship with God. His is one relationship that will keep you alive as only He can!

Scripture: John 14:7-11

Prayer:

Lord, may I continually be filled with your spirit! Amen

May the Lord be with you always,

Phoebe